Online Slot Volatility

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People usually choose slots in casinos based on different criteria. In this review, we are going to shed light on one important criterion: volatility, or variance. If you know the variance, you may be aware of the risk rate of the game. But beginners often confuse the volatility with the Return to Player rate (RTP). RTP is measured in percentages. So there are plenty of gambling machines with a relatively high percentage of payouts, for example 97%; but each one of them has a different variance.

What the Volatility Can Show Us

When you are choosing an online game with set volatility, it is important to bear in mind that volatility is a relative term. There are no fixed criteria that allow you to sort the games by their volatility. The developers of the casino software often do not mention the variance rate of their machines. But even a regular user can figure out this rate while playing. That is why it’s always better to play for fun and then draw your conclusions without having to spend your bankroll.

The volatility rate doesn’t tell us anything about the quality of the game; it’s just another peculiarity of the specific game in question. But over the course of your gaming session, having some knowledge about the volatility does help you to find the right slot, the betting range, and the optimal strategy you need to follow.

Practical Use of Volatility

To put it simply, low volatility slots pay out often, and high volatility ones, on the contrary, seldom pay out. It’s pretty logical that with the same RTP, the slots that seldom pay out need to surprise the player with some massive wins. The spins you make on high volatility games are rarely winning ones. But if you’re lucky enough to have a winning combination, the winnings are going to be several times higher than the money wagered.

As a rule, the games that pay out often don’t surprise you with big wins. Instead, many of the spins are winning ones, but the win is rarely bigger than the money you bet.

High Volatility Slots

High volatility games may not yield wins for quite a long time. The online casino client may play some dozens of spins before receiving a winning combination. But when he wins, the actual sum will be a pleasant surprise, and all his financial losses up to then will be amply compensated. Many of the high variance slots have progressive jackpots.

When should you choose high volatility slots?

Such games will suit big bankroll owners, allowing them to last well through any losing streaks. It’s also important to have a lot of time to spare for your gambling session. The gamers who are willing to assume a high risk game, and who are also rather patient, are going to be the ones who enjoy these slots the most. Choose high volatility games if you want a really massive win! As for your gambling strategy, you need to choose wisely: pick a bet amount that’s going to allow you to last throughout the whole gambling session.

Medium Volatility Slots

Medium variance slots are the most common kind to be found in online casinos. Here, you can quite often match winning combinations that yield good rewards. The losing streaks in these slots are not so long, and bonus games and free spins are awarded pretty often.

Who should play medium volatility slots?

These games are going to be a perfect match for players who can’t stand having to go too many spins without payouts and who just want to receive a huge win. Casino games with a medium variance grant low paying combinations every several spins; and from time to time, they also offer you winning spins and bonus games.

Low Volatility Slots

Medium variance games almost always offer you winning combinations, but the amount on offer rarely surpasses the wager. A lot of small wins is a common practice for this type of slots.  Nevertheless, there is still a chance for you to get big wins. You can thicken your payroll during the bonus features and free spins.

Who should play low volatility slots?

Such games are the optimal choice for players with merely a minimum bankroll, and who have little time for gambling activity. Low variance suits all those impatient players out there that just can’t bear slogging through all those long streaks without winnings. The developers offer these slots specifically for them.

How to Learn the Variance Types of Slots?

If you have enough time and willingness, you can define the variance of a game yourself, just by playing its demo version. You can play for free at the majority of licensed online casinos. Your personal experience can tell you a lot. It’s not necessary to know the variance of the slot: you just need to be OK with the frequency of the payouts, free spins, and bonuses. You can also check out reviews from trustworthy sources, as well as any game payout tables you can find.

Top 3 Frequently Asked Questions

• What is slot volatility?

Slot volatility is the frequency rate of payouts and the amount of the winnings ratio. Slots can be divided into low, medium, and high variance slots.

• What does medium volatility mean?

Medium volatility slots are the golden middle between the high and low variance slots. They are characterized by a medium rate of wins. They allow you to win from time to time, and the chances of hitting a jackpot are quite high.

• What is a high variance slot machine?

A high variance or a high volatility gambling machine only rarely pays out; but the winnings are higher than in low and medium variance slots.